MERCER SENSATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19467, 17 April 1933, Page 6

MERCER SENSATION

GARAGE PROPRIETOR SHOT. ARMED MOTORIST AT LARGE. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 15. James Pennington Bates, a garage proprietor at Mercer, was injured in the groin by one of two bullets fired from a revolver by a motorist about 10.30 last night. The motorist, driving a baby car, obtained petrol and attempted to drive away without paying. Bates jumped on the running board; the car stopped, and the driver alighted, and is reported to have said: “I am desperate. I haven’t any money.” Bates retorted: “That’s no good to me,” whereupon the motorist drew a revolver and fired twice. Bates retreated, and it is believed the motorist drove on southwards. This morning it was reported that a car which had been stolen from Auckland had been found abandoned near Ngaruawahia. A large force of detectives and police are searching for the driver. Bates, who is aged 49. and married, is now in the Auckland Hospital. His condition is satisfactory. A Hamilton message states that a baby car answering the description of the vehicle driven by the man concerned in the Mercer shooting, was recovered at Ngaruawahia. 30 miles south of Mercer, at midnight last night. The polics describe the wanted man as youngish, of slight to medium build, sft 7ins, dark hair, wearing a dark grey suit and white shirt, with a dark grey stripe, sandshoes, no collar or hat. YOUNG MAN ARRESTED. EXCITING MAN-HUNT ENDS. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. April 16. An exciting man-hunt following the shooting of James Pennington Bates, garage proprietor, of Mercer, at 10.30 on Thursday evening, resulted in the arrest last night of a youth by Sergeant Moriarty and Constable McLean, of Franklin police station. The youth was immediately searched, and was found to be unarmed. He at first gave a false name, and was taken to the Hamilton police station, where he is stated to have admitted his identity. He was taken in custody to Auckland. Over thirty police from Auckland and Hamilton were engaged for 24 hours in a chase. Every road and bridge between Mercer and Hamilton was patrolled, and all traffic was held up for examination. A number of other young men were stopped, questioned, and released on proving their identity.